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Delta-shot musical documentary released for Indigenous History Month

The National Film Board of Canada has released a musical documentary partly shot in Delta to mark Indigenous History Month. Written and directed by Marie Clements, The Road Forward is now on the NFB’s streaming platform at nfb.ca.
NFB film
The National Film Board of Canada has released a musical documentary partly shot in Delta to mark Indigenous History Month.

The National Film Board of Canada has released a musical documentary partly shot in Delta to mark Indigenous History Month.

Written and directed by Marie Clements, The Road Forward is now on the NFB’s streaming platform at nfb.ca.

The Road Forward connects a pivotal moment in Canada's civil rights history — the beginnings of Indian Nationalism in the 1930s — with the powerful momentum of First Nations activism today.

Interviews and musical sequences describe how a tiny movement, the Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, grew to become a successful voice for change across the country.

The Road Forwardconnects past and present through story-songs with soaring vocals, blues, rock and traditional beats

The film features musical performances by: Richard E. Brown, Ronnie Dean Harris, Shakti Hayes, Jennifer Kreisberg, Jeremy James Lavallee, Wayne Lavallee, Cheri Maracle, Shamantsut/Amanda Nahanee, Delhia Nahanee, Marissa Nahanee, Latash-Maurice Nahanee, Corey Payette, Murray Porter, Michelle St. John and Russell Wallace.

The film’s opening song, Indian Man by Wayne Lavallee, was released as a single in 2018. It played in the Indigenous Music Countdown charts for about half a year, reaching No. 2.

In addition to Delta, The Road Forward was shot in Richmond, Maple Ridge, Fort Langley, West Vancouver, Vancouver and Prince George.

Over 10,000 people have already seen the film in theatres through festivals and community screenings.